Pitts Theology Library
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
The
Hartford Collection
1975
VILLAGE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Franklin, New Hampshire
The One Hundredth Anniversary
of the
Villc.jj e Congregational
Church
of
Franklin, New Hampshire
September 23 ami 24, 1023.
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Church Orcjcrushed Jane 11, 1822.
Buildingf Erected 1820.
Kcdcdicatecl September 24, 1908.
OUR FORMER PASTORS.
Rev. Abijah Cross,
1826.
Rev. Joseph Lane,
1828—1831.
Rev. Benjamin P. Stone, D. D.,
1831—1832.
Rev. Daniel D. Tappan,
1832—1833.
Rev. Samuel Nichols,
1834—1837.
Rev. Isaac Knight,
1837—1848.
Rev. William T. Savage, D. D.,
1849—1874.
Rev. Austin H. Burr,
1875—1880.
Rev. Willis A. Hadley,
1881—1883.
Rev. Herbert M. Andrews,
1884—1885.
Rev. J. Henry Bliss,
1885—1899.
Rev. Frederick A. Balcom,
1900—1902.
Rev. David P. Hatch,
1903—1909.
Rev. Albert P. Watson,
1909—1914.
Rev. James P. Harper,
1915—1917.
Rev. Carl D. Skillin,
1918—1922.
Rev. Stanley C. Sherman, Pastor.
CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN.
Decoration,
Entertainment,
Finance,
Invitation,
Music,
Pageant,
Program,
Supper,
Mrs. Stanley C. Sherman.
Miss Luella L. Nelson.
William H. Nelson.
Miss Elsie Y. Closson.
Miss Elizabeth Clement.
Mrs. John S. Shepard.
Rev. Stanley C. Sherman.
Mrs. Harry E. Colby.
CENTENNIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE.
Rev. Stanley C. Sherman.
Miss Elsie Y. Closson.
Prof. Harry P. Swett.
Miss Elizabeth Clement.
Mrs. John S. Shepard.
Mr. Harry W. Gilchrist.
SUNDAY
10.30 a. m. Morning Worship.
Organ Voluntary, "Solace,"
"At Sunrise,"
Pease
Diggle
Call to Worship.
Doxology.
Invocation and Lord's Prayer.
"Send Out Thy Light," from "The Redemption," Gounod
Responsive Reading, 15.
Gloria Patri.
Anthem, "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem," Knox
Scripture Lesson, Deuteronomy 8, Rev. Rufus P. Gardner
Prayer, Rev. J. Henry Bliss
Offertory, "Morning Prelude," Read
Children's Talk.
Hymn, 444. "For all the saints."
Historical Sermon, The Pastor
Anniversary Hymn, Rev. David P. Hatch
Benediction.
Organ Postlude, "The Victor's Return," Agate
12.00 M. The Village Church Sunday School.
6.00 p. m. Christian Endeavor Meeting.
Topic: "The Next One Hundred Years,"
Leader, Kenrick Chase
7.00 p. m. Community Service.
Organ Voluntary, "Largo,"
Handel
Hymn, 452. "I love Thy kingdom, Lord."
Responsive Reading, 84.
"The Heavens are Telling," from "The Creation," Haydn
Neighborly Greetings.
Arranged by Arthur Fagge.
Sermon, "The Old and the New,"
Rev. Stoddard Lane, Manchester
Hymn, 451. "Blest be the tie that binds."
Benediction.
Organ Postlude, "Finale," Faunchey
Anniversary Hymn,
Scripture Lesson, Acts 17: 16-31,
Prayer,
Rev. David P. Hatch
Rev. Wesley A. Paige
Rev. Walter J. Malvern
Anthem, "How Lovely are Thy Dwellings,"
Liddle
MONDAY
4.00 p. m.
The Pageant: "The Spirit of the Early Days."
Alice M. Shepard and Elizabeth Clement, Collaborators.
CHARACTERS.
The Spirit of the Early Days,
The Spirit of the Bell,
Bertha Stevens Brooks
Rev. Stanley C. Sherman
The Master of the Instructors' School, S. Wallace March
Other historic personages and pupils of the school.
Prelude: The Tradition of Early Preaching to the Indians.
Part I. * The Incident of the Bell.
The selection of the site of the meeting house.
The building of the church.
The bell arrives on an ox team.
The Spirit of the Bell speaks from the belfry.
* Through the heroic efforts of Mr. Bradbury M. Prescott, the old
bell was salvaged from the fire and recast with the following inscrip-
tion, selected by Rev. David P. Hatch, from Psalm 51: 14, "My tongue
shall sing aloud of thy righteousness."
Part II. Historic Personages Going to Meeting.
Arrival of Daniel Webster.
A hymn sung from within.
Part III. The Acquisition of the Academy.
Pupils at recess.
Master Tyler appears.
Transformation of the building.
Postlude: The Vision of Service.
Doxology. Sung by all.
Benediction. Priest Knight.
5.00 p. m.
Presentation of new drop curtain for the chapel stage by the
Sunshine Class; Mrs. Selven S. Taylor, teacher.
5.30 p. m.
Informal Social Hour.
6.30 p. m.
Parish Supper. Music. Speaking by our former pastors and
others. Prof. Harry P. Swett, presiding.
THE VILLAGE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
1923.
Pastor
Rev. Stanley C. Sherman.
Began services December, 1922.
Deacons
Edward E. Jackman, 1892-1923. Cyrus R. Adams, 1911-1923.
Junior Deacons
Harry P. Swett, 1921-1923. Carlos F. Closson, 1921-1923.
Clerk
Miss Elsie Y. Closson.
Treasurer
Robinson Shepard.
Superintendent of Sunday School
S. Wallace March.
Standing Committee
The Pastor, Deacons, Junior Deacons, Clerk, Superintendent
of Sunday School, Rev. Rufus P. Gardner, Mrs. John S.
Shepard, Mrs. Edward A. Fellows, Joseph I. Welch.
Calling Committee
Mrs. Cyrus R. Adams, Mrs. William L. Stevens, Mrs. Harry
P. Swett, Mrs. James A. Boomhower,
Miss Elsie Y. Closson.
Custodian of Evening Collections
Sherman Taylor.
Ushers
Seth J. Tilton. Claude Rowell. Nelson Lewis.
Clarendon Southmayd.
THE VILLAGE CHURCH SOCIETY.
Incorporated November 21, 1845.
President,
Vice President,
Clerk and Treasurer,
Collector,
Auditor,
Wardens,
Music Committee,
Organist,
Janitor,
Prof. Harry P. Swett
Carlos F. Closson
S. Wallace March
Mrs. Richard Thompson
William H. Nelson
Asa C. Chadwick
Frank B. Johnson
Harry E. Colby
Mrs. Harry P. Swett
Miss Hattie B. Atwood
Miss Anna G. Blodg'ett
Melvin Redman
Selven S. Taylor
VILLAGE CHURCH SOCIETIES.
The Ladies' Social Circle, Mrs. Harry E. Colby, President.
The Cent Union, Miss Luella L. Nelson, President.
Y. P. S. C. E., Mrs. Selven S. Taylor, President.
ANNIVERSARY HYMN.
Church Of Our Fathers.
Tune: St. Catherine.
Church of our fathers, we would bring
Our grateful tribute unto Thee,
And with united voices sing
Thy blessings through a century.
Church of our fathers, Love divine
Hath made of Thee a hallow'd shrine.
Church of our fathers' fervent prayers,
Founded in faith, and hope, and love,
Ours an inheritance of theirs,—■
Sweet benediction from above.
Loyal, like them, O, make us true
To all they did aspire to do.
Church of our fathers, hither we
In tender infancy were led,
Our budding spirits here to be
On truths of Christian nurture fed.
For this today, O, God, we raise
Our song, with reverent, heart-felt praise.
Church of our fathers, Church of Chrish—
His Name thine all-inspiring power,
His gospel ever hath been blest,
From earliest days until this hour.
Down through a hundred years His truth
From Thee hath gone to all the earth.
Church of our fathers, lead men still
To Him, "the Life, the Truth, the Way,"
Teaching them e'er to do His will,
Learning of Him from day to day.
Through generations yet unborn
Abide, till centuries are gone.
Written for the centennial anniversary of the Village Church,
Franklin, N. H., by David Phillips Hatch, September 23, 19j3.
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